Here’s how to stay healthy on a cruise ship

Over 20 million people each year will plan a vacation by going on a cruise, according to Cruise Ship Industry Statistics. As much fun, relaxing and enjoyable sailing the open seas can be, the last thing you want to experience while cruising to exotic ports is becoming ill.

We hear and read about the horror stories of people contracting usually the norovirus while riding the high waters. In January of 2016, there was a norovirus outbreak on a Princess Cruise line ship that sickened 180 of 2,060 passengers with vomiting and diarrhea. Another outbreak aboard a British cruise ship in April of 2016, caused 277 out of 915 passengers to fall ill. More recently in December 2017, hundreds of passengers on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship contracted a gastrointestinal illness resulting in vomiting and diarrhea.

These unfortunate incidents are often caused by viruses like norovirus which is the most common culprit along with other microbes including some strains of E. coli. Microbes such as these can be easily spread by various means such as consuming contaminated food and water, touching contaminated objects, or shaking hands with others.

As bad as it sounds, the vast majority of people who book a cruise will generally have a wonderful time without becoming sick. But, there are certain precautions to take in order to vastly reduce your chance of avoiding contracting a microbe that could ruin your vacation plans. There is no guarantee of not getting sick but here are some ways to stay healthy minimizing your chance of picking up a microbe on your next cruise:

· Wash hands frequently

This sage advice applies to all of us no matter where we are traveling to. Frequent hand washing is the number one method of avoiding norovirus or any other illness that could be lurking on the ship. Always wash hands before and after eating, after using the restroom, after returning back to the cruise ship after a day in port, shaking hands with others and every time you touch a slot machine, stairway railing, or door handles. Many cruise ships now strategically place hand sanitizers throughout so take advantage of these as often as possible. As advantageous as hand sanitizers can be, they are not a replacement for washing hands with soap and water. Also, keep hands away from touching your face, nose, mouth and eyes, key points of entry for microbes.

· Keep hydrated

No matter what method of travel you are using, staying hydrated with water is a wise thing to do. Be sure to have a reusable water bottle when spending a day on the beach, when exploring a port destination, or lying poolside on the ship. Drinking alcohol is not a substitute for keeping hydrated. Alcohol is a diuretic and will only exacerbate dehydration. Look for signs of dehydration of little to no urine or dark urine, dry mouth, sleepiness, extreme thirst or headache.

· Know if the water is safe to drink

On the one hand it’s important to drink water but depending on where in the world you are cruising, the local water may not be safe to consume. Check the U.S. State Department’s website for country-specific warnings. There is a section on the website under “Your health abroad” that will mention any restrictions on drinking water. If there is a restriction, only drink beverages in sealed bottles to avoid getting sick. Ice and eating fruit is also included on avoiding in countries where there are restrictions on certain foods/beverages ingested. It is also advisable to avoid uncooked vegetables, meat, poultry, and fish as they could be contaminated with harmful bacteria.

· Avoid overindulging at the buffet tables

One of the hallmarks of traveling by cruise ship is the popularity of the all-you-can-eat buffets. Indulging night after night in the rich, calorie-laden meals can eventually rival Montezuma’s revenge. It may be very tempting to want to try out everything laid out on the buffet table but pace yourself. Choose small portions limiting yourself to one full plate while eating at a slower pace. It is also better to eat three regular meals a day instead of skipping meals to save up calories by eating a huge dinner at night. By not overeating, you will ultimately feel better with less likelihood of heartburn, an upset stomach or feeling bloated. Plus you won’t come home weighing 20 pounds more than when you stepped foot onboard.

· Keep active

Even though many people take a cruise to do nothing more than lie poolside on a chaise lounge, don’t skip the opportunity to get in some movement each day. Cruise ships have a boatload of activities to keep you hopping from onboard gyms, dance classes, miniature golf, basketball courts, jogging tracks or taking a brisk walk around the promenade deck. By weaving in exercise each day, you will be boosting your immune system activating endorphins that can help you fight off any microbes that will try to take you down.

· Wear sunscreen

Hours spent lounging in the warm tropical sun poolside may sound heavenly but it can turn into a real pain if you skimp on sunscreen. Coming back home bright red is not the color you want – it indicates serious skin damage placing you at a greater risk of potential skin cancer. Prevent sunburns by liberally applying sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30. Reapply frequently throughout the day.

· Go easy on the alcohol

Drinking and partying it up on a cruise is a big part of the experience many people are looking for. But if you want to stay healthy onboard, excessive drinking is not the way to do it. Besides dealing with a miserable hangover, excessive drinking impairs judgement and thinking placing you in compromising situations. Enjoy one or two alcoholic beverages but make the rest of your beverage intake nonalcoholic.